SECTION 310:315-7-2. Pool layout

(a)   Location. In selecting the site for a proposed public bathing place, the water supply, sanitary sewer, and other drainage facilities shall be given due consideration. Outside pools should not be located near unpaved highways where road dust and dirt would be carried into the pool by prevailing winds. The site of outdoor pools shall be elevated or otherwise protected by drainage ditches, curbs or retaining walls so that surface water will not flow into and contaminate the pool water.

(b)   Trees, shrubbery. Trees and shrubbery overhanging or adjacent to the pool or walkway, or in the immediate vicinity on the windward side, are objectionable in that they are the source of dirt, leaves, and other contaminants which may fall into the water.

(c)   Exclusion of unauthorized persons.

(1)   Provision must be made to exclude unauthorized persons from the bathing facilities area. All bathing facilities must be surrounded by an effective barrier for this purpose.

(A)   Outdoor pools open to general public such as municipal pools and pools used by organizations (YWCA, YMCA, etc.), shall be enclosed by a suitable barrier equal to a six (6) foot high woven wire fence. Within this pool area may then be established a semi-barrier which shall serve to separate the swimmers from the spectators. Enforcement of this section shall then be based on the observance of rules which shall be adopted so as to prevent the mingling of swimmers and spectators on the pool walk area.

(B)   Indoor pools must be located in a room with doors that can be locked at all times when the pool is not in use (regardless of whether a fee is charged) or as in 7-2(c)(1)(C).

(C)   Outdoor pools not open to the general public shall be enclosed with a suitable effective barrier to prevent unattended small children from entering the pool. The barrier may be any fence, wall or structure which prevents entry except through self-closing, self-latching gates and does not prevent visual observation of the pool and is not less than four (4) feet in height. Decorative type barriers shall not have open spaces greater than four (4) inches. See also 310:315-7-7. Where existing construction prohibits compliance with this rule, the owner shall file with the county or state health department, an operation procedure which will serve to ensure the exclusion of animals and unattended small children from the pool area.

(2)   A suitable effective barrier shall be accomplished in one of the following manners:

(A)   Wood.

(i)   Wood posts shall be at least four (4) inches in diameter or four (4) inches x four (4) inches, shall be of pressure-treated wood and shall be spaced not more than ten (10) feet apart. Posts shall be embedded at least eighteen (18) inches into the ground.

(ii)   Wood railings, when used, shall be at least two (2) inches x four (4) inches in nominal dimension. There shall be at least two (2) railings. Railings shall provide no horizontal projections or recessions unless at four (4) feet. Railings shall not be used in such a way as to form a ladder.

(B)   Wire.

(i)   Wire posts shall be galvanized pipe at least two (2) inches in diameter and shall be spaced not more than ten (10) feet apart. Such posts shall be embedded to a depth of twelve (12) inches in a concrete jacket at least eighteen (18) inches deep and six (6) inches in diameter.

(ii)   Chain link shall be at least eleven (11) gauge galvanized metal.

(iii)   Wire supports shall be galvanized metal at least one and one-quarter (1-1/4) inches thick and shall provide no footholds.

(C)   Wrought iron.

(i)   Wrough iron posts shall consist of at least one-half (1/2) inch thick steel bars spaced not more than four (4) inches apart.

(ii)   Wrought iron fence sections shall consist of at least one-half (1/2) inch thick steel bars spaced not more than four (4) inches apart.

(iii)   Wrought iron horizontal rails shall not form a ladder.

(D)   Masonry. Walls of brick, concrete or stone shall be constructed so as to provide no projections or recessions within four (4) feet of the ground's surface. Such walls shall meet the visual observation requirement of 310:315-7-2. Construction shall not be such as to form a ladder. There shall not be more than four (4) inches of space between the bottom of the enclosure and the ground's surface or the pool deck. Indoor bathing facilities not open to general public shall be enclosed so that access is only through self-closing, self-latching gates or doors, to control access by unattended small children. Enclosures shall have maximum openings of four (4) inches, and the enclosure design shall not form a ladder.

(E)   Alternate enclosure materials. The Department may approve alternative enclosure materials and methods where the Department finds such materials and methods equivalent to those described.

(d)   Sand or grass plots. The area within the pool enclosure of outdoor municipal and other pools open to the general public, and school pools, shall be free of all sand or grass plots used for sun-bathing or play areas. Sand and grass areas provided for sun-tanning or sun-bathing purposes in connection with swimming pools open to the general public shall be separated from the pool and walk area by a fence or other barrier. The exits from the sand or grass sun-bathing area to the pool area shall be provided with continuous or automatic showers, with volume and pressure of water sufficient to remove gross particles of sand, grass, etc., from the bathers. In lieu of the above shower arrangement, sun-bathers may be routed from the sand or grass sun-bathing areas through the regular shower rooms.

(e)   Layout of filter plant and chemical storage facilities.

(1)   The filter plant and chemical storage areas shall be enclosed or shall otherwise limit access by the general public.

(2)   The filter area shall be large enough to provide easy access to all equipment and appurtenances with sufficient room for adequate pipe run for the flow meter and for system maintenance.

(3)   There must be at least eighteen (18) inches clearance about freestanding equipment.

(f)   Hose connections. Ample hose connections shall be provided and suitably arranged in interior shower rooms, toilet rooms, and exterior walks, so that all floors, walks and drains may be flushed with water, using a fifty (50) foot section of flexible hose. Approved vacuum breakers shall be included at all hose connections (including any in equipment rooms).

(g)   Wall, floor, and ceiling material. Walls, floors, and ceilings of new pool rooms and new filter rooms shall be of non-sorbent, smooth, cleanable material.

[Source: Amended at 22 Ok Reg 231, eff 10-14-04 (emergency); Amended at 22 Ok Reg 1131, eff 5-26-05]